Hanoi (VNA) – DeputyPrime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has affirmed that farmers play a decisive role inchanging the face of Vietnam’s agriculture in the future. 

He was speaking at the secondnational farmers’ forum themed “Farmers are ready for agriculture 4.0”co-hosted by the Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VFU) Central Committee, the Ministryof Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, andthe Ministry of Science and Technology in Hanoi on October 14.

The Deputy PM asked concerned ministriesand agencies to deal with obstacles regarding capital, human resources, marketand technology and devise specific policies in support of farmers and agribusinesses.

VFU Chairman Lai Xuan Mon said theevent served as a chance for scientists, speakers, managers, scientists andfarmers to discuss impacts of the fourth industrial revolution on Vietnam’s agriculture,farmers and rural areas; the current situation and future trends; opportunitiesand challenges arising from the fourth industrial revolution.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Bo, formerDirector of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, suggested that theState should create a transparent and easily-accessible legal corridor for producers,ramp up infrastructure and build a database compatible with sectors andmarkets.

Participants shared a view thatfarmers not only need capital and markets but should also prepare humanresources to operate modern equipment and seek suitable technologies used foragricultural production.

They urged the government,ministries, agencies, localities, and VFU to offer more training courses tofarmers so that they could grasp opportunities and overcome challenges.

The same day, a competition “I amfarmer 4.0” was launched in the capital city.

The six-month competition, thefirst of its kind, is open to Vietnamese individuals and groups of individuals thatadopt technological solutions to farming production.

The awards ceremony is scheduledfor late May 2018.-VNA